The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Tuesday that it would continue its efforts to reinstate President Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting four well-known law firms, reversing its decision made just a day earlier to withdraw its appeals in these cases.
Last year, the Trump administration appealed after federal judges invalidated executive orders directed at Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, Jenner & Block, and Susman Godfrey due to their legal practices, diversity initiatives, and political ties.
On Monday, the government requested the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to dismiss its appeals. However, on Tuesday, the Justice Department asked the court to retract its dismissal request.
In its filing, the government stated that it is within the administration’s discretion to pursue the appeals without providing a reason for the change in stance. The White House referred inquiries to the Justice Department, which declined to comment.
The four law firms expressed their opposition to the government’s sudden request to withdraw the previous voluntary dismissal that all parties had agreed upon.
Trump issued the executive orders last year, alleging that the law firms were promoting workplace discrimination under the guise of diversity and using the legal system against him and his supporters.
The orders aimed to limit the firms’ access to federal facilities and terminate government contracts held by their clients, citing their connections to his legal and political adversaries.
Federal judges, appointed by both Democratic and Republican presidents, invalidated the orders last year, ruling that they infringed on the firms’ constitutional rights, including freedom of speech.
Judge John Bates, appointed by George W. Bush, criticized the orders in the Jenner & Block case, stating that they created a chilling effect on the legal profession. Judge Beryl Howell, appointed by Barack Obama, also rebuked the government while ruling in favor of Perkins Coie.
Nine prominent law firms, such as Paul Weiss, Skadden Arps, Latham & Watkins, and Kirkland & Ellis, reached settlements with the White House last year to prevent or reverse similar actions by the administration. As part of these agreements, the firms collectively committed nearly $1 billion in pro bono legal services aligned with shared values with the White House.
The firms defended these arrangements as consistent with their principles and professional standards.
